13-17 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And, after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.” (Some texts add: 'Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival.')

18-19 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas - a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20-22 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23-25 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. Luke 23:13-25 English Standard Version

I wonder if Barabbas hung around to watch the execution of the man whose life was taken in place of his own. Matthew's gospel says that Barabbas was 'a notorious' prisoner'. Mark's gospel, like Luke, says he had committed murder in an insurrection. So he was far from innocent. Yet anyone who calls upon Jesus Christ to save them from sin could substitute their name for Barabbas'. We may not have murdered. In fact, we may not even have broken any of man's laws. But God's verdict of us is seen in Psalm 14:2-3 which says: “The  Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” In a letter to Christians in Rome the apostle Paul said that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God “because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

What was Pilate's actual verdict after examining the charges against Jesus? (vs 13-17)

He could see that Jesus hadn't broken any Roman laws, let alone the laws of God. Even when they still insisted on crucifying Christ, Pilate replied: “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death.” Months later the apostle Peter told a crowd that gathered after a miraculous healing of a man who'd been lame from birth: “The God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.” (Acts 3:13-14)

The wonderful thing in this is that the substitution that took place that day is a picture of what happens for everyone who becomes a Christian. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: “He was pierced for our rebellion,  crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6) Many years after the crucifixion the writer of Hebrews said: “We see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9)

Jesus who was innocent of all sin - took the guilty sinners place. He bore the stroke of God that should have fallen on us. That's a truth which ought to fill us with wonder and praise, and the desire to give Him all of our life.